İstanbul BATÖB participates in Nevruz celebrations at Haliç Congress Center

The Istanbul Western Thrace Student Union (BATÖB) took part in the “March 21 Nevruz Festival” held at the Haliç Congress Center in Istanbul, with the participation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Celebrated as a symbol of spring, unity, and solidarity, Nevruz was marked with vibrant cultural performances, folk dances, music recitals, and exhibitions showcasing the rich traditions of various regions.

Western Thrace Culture on Display
BATÖB members actively contributed to the event by introducing traditional Western Thrace attire, allowing attendees to experience the cultural heritage of the Western Thrace Turkish community. They also had the honor of being part of the presidential welcoming committee, further strengthening their presence at the gathering.

The event was attended by Işık Sadık Ahmet, the wife of Dr. Sadık Ahmet, a historic leader of the Western Thrace Turks, and the Honorary President of the Friendship, Equality, and Peace (FEP) Party. She emphasized the significance of such cultural events in preserving and promoting Western Thrace Turkish heritage, highlighting the values of unity and solidarity.

BATÖB’s Message of Unity and Peace
Following the event, BATÖB shared a message on social media:

“As the Istanbul Western Thrace Student Union, we were honored to participate in the March 21 Nevruz Festival attended by our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

This meaningful gathering allowed us to celebrate Nevruz with enthusiasm, introduce our traditional attire, and once again emphasize the importance of our deep-rooted culture and shared values.

We wish for Nevruz to bring peace, brotherhood, and tranquility, and we extend our gratitude to everyone involved in organizing this event.”

The participation of Western Thrace Turkish youth in the celebration underscored their commitment to preserving their cultural identity while fostering deeper ties with the wider Turkish community.